Nearly one week after the completion of the 2026 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Zxavian Harris was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted rookie. Harris was extensively anticipated to be a Day 2 draft alternative or early Day 3 at worst. The indisputable fact that he went unsigned for nearly per week was a good larger shock than him sliding out of the draft altogether.
Problems off the sector possible precipitated groups to bypass Harris within the draft. He’s been concerned in a number of authorized points, together with a 2023 arrest for driving beneath the affect and felony fleeing of a scene along with a 2024 arrest for home violence and obstruction expenses. Additionally, Harris additionally had foot surgical procedure after this 12 months’s NFL Scouting Combine. Legal points apart, there’s little doubting that the Saints have a gifted participant if his troubles are behind him.
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Zxavian Harris bio
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Position: Defensive tackle
Strengths
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Rare mixture of energy and burst
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Good bull-rush to break down move pockets
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Immediate restoration when knocked off stability
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Versatility to play a number of fronts
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Powerful punch into blockers
Weaknesses
▪︎ Multiple arrests (possible pushed him out of draft)▪︎ Foot surgical procedure after Scouting Combine▪︎ Conditioning questions▪︎ Must enhance footwork and agility▪︎ Needs to enhance stability and physique management for leverage▪︎ Counter move rush strikes should be developed
Risk vs. Reward?
There is definitely a threat concerned when including a participant with such off-field difficulties. Without entering into the particular legalities of Harris and his arrests, there is no such thing as a doubt that he should present higher judgement if he’s to have an NFL profession. The Saints have been down this street lately. In 2019, then-Wyoming defensive finish Carl Granderson was seen as a possible Day 2 draft alternative. However, Granderson was sentenced to a six-month jail sentence as a plea to expenses of sexual battery and undesirable contact. As a end result, Granderson fell fully out of the draft and was signed by New Orleans as an undrafted rookie. Granderson wasn’t eligible to play till halfway via his 2019 rookie season. Since then, he is been trouble-free and has turn out to be an necessary a part of the Saints edge rotation. Obviously, New Orleans hopes to get the identical outcomes and manufacturing from Zxavian Harris.
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Harris has definitely confirmed himself to be a succesful expertise. He’s a disruptive defender in opposition to the run and as a move rusher who’s a matchup nightmare for blockers. During the Ole Miss run to the CFP semifinals, he contributed 58 tackles, 9 stops for loss, 3 sacks, and an interception. Harris additionally comes up massive on particular groups, the place he blocked six kicks throughout his Rebels profession.
On the sector, Harris additionally has some issues to wash up. Firstly, he’ll must work on his conditioning to be a possible each down power. His footwork and general physique management additionally should enhance. However, Zxavian Harris has super upside together with his freakish mixture of dimension, size, energy, and burst to the ball. He additionally brings the power to be efficient in a number of positions throughout a defensive line.
New Orleans acquired stronger up the center with the drafting of second spherical choose Christen Miller out of Georgia. With any luck, SEC opponent Zxavian Harris will be capable to improve that inside improve and become what Carl Granderson has on the skin for the Saints. Harris has the expertise and located a staff keen to take the possibility that his off-field issues are up to now. The relaxation is now as much as Harris.
This article initially appeared on Saints Wire: What Saints are getting in undrafted Mississippi DT Zxavian Harris